News Details

More empty promises for MAP recipients

5/19/2016

Democrats pushed forward with yet another appropriation for MAP grants for college students, advancing legislation to the Governor over objections from Republicans who pointed out that the proposal once again lacks the revenue to actually fund the program.

Speaker Madigan introduced House Bill 4167, which would direct more than $227 million for MAP grants. This increases MAP funding by nearly 10 percent, to the tune of $397.1 million, but lacks any revenue stream.

Senate Republicans once again criticized the measure for giving false hope to students, and instead advocated for passage of a bipartisan bill passed unanimously in the Senate in early May that included $454 million in additional funding for all higher education entities, including MAP grants. Though Senate Bill 2048 included actual ways to fund the schools and programs, it was stripped of its language in the House and never called for a vote.

It’s unlikely the legislation will be signed into law—Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed similar spending bills that lack the necessary funding.